WASHINGTON â President Joe Biden plans to share COVID-19 vaccines with the world, including directing 75% of excess doses through the UN-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing program.
The White House has previously stated its intent to share 80 million vaccine doses with the world by the end of June. The administration says 25% of doses will be kept in reserve for emergencies and for the U.S. to share directly with allies and partners.
Of the first 25 million doses, the White House says about 19 million will go to COVAX. That includes about 6 million for South and Central America, 7 million for Asia, and 5 million for Africa. The doses boost the lagging COVAX effort, which so far has allocated just 76 million doses to needy countries.
The change is expected to ease global shortages of key vaccine materials for overseas companies and governments.
Officials say the government is dropping its use of the Defense Production Act to prioritize supply orders from AstraZeneca, Novavax and Sanofi. Those three companies have not yet won U.S. authorization for their COVID-19 shots, despite receiving funding from the federal government for development and manufacturing.
Administration officials say the U.S. now has enough vaccines to protect all Americans. President Joe Biden has faced increasing pressure to make more U.S. vaccines and supplies available to struggling countries. Biden offers international COVID-19 vaccine sharing plan
The Latest: Arizona s state-run vaccination sites to close
The Associated Press
FacebookTwitterEmail 20
1of20Medical assistant Andreea Marian, right, gives a COVID-19 vaccine to Gabina Morales at a clinic at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Bellingham, Wash. Washington is the latest state to offer prizes to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announcing a series of giveaways during the month of June that includes lottery drawings totaling $2 million, college tuition assistance, airline tickets and game systems.Elaine Thompson/APShow MoreShow Less
2of20California Gov. Gavin Newsom points toward California Restaurant Association President & CEO Jot Condie, left, as Condie s daughter Gabriella, 10, looks on after a news conference outside Tommy s Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, on Thursday, June 3, 2021. The governor offered his support at the news conference for the extension and exp